Die casting machine and die casting method

ABSTRACT

A die casting machine ( 1 ) is provided, including a die casting mold ( 3 ) having at least one stationary first casting mold part ( 5 ), at least one second casting mold part ( 7 ) that is movable along guide pillars ( 6 ), and at least two lateral casting mold parts ( 8, 9 ), which are movable relative to one another transversely to the travel path of the at least one second casting mold part ( 7 ). Locking pins ( 14 ) protrude from at least two lateral casting mold parts ( 8, 9 ), which in a locked position engage behind at least the movable second casting mold part ( 7 ) such that the travel path of the at least one second casting mold part ( 7 ) is limited in the direction away from the at least one first casting mold part ( 5 ). The invention further relates to a die casting method for producing metal castings using the casting mold as described above.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a die casting machine having a die casting mold, which is intended for die casting castings made from liquid molten metal, including possibly complex castings.

The present invention is also concerned with a die casting method for producing such castings from liquid molten metal.

“Hot chamber” die casting machines, in which the casting equipment consisting of a die casting mold and a die casting plunger is situated in the heated metal bath, have already been created. Here, the die casting machine and the holding furnace required to keep the metal bath hot form one unit. In such hot chamber die casting machines, the liquid metal is sucked in from the metal bath with the aid of the outward-moving die casting plunger. During the subsequent downward movement of the die casting plunger, the inlet opening from the metal reservoir is closed, and the liquid metal is injected at high pressure and high velocity into the mold cavity situated in the die casting mold. As a consequence of the high inflow velocity of the liquid metal, there are often pores and oxides within the castings, i.e. air inclusions and impurities. Moreover, the castings have mechanical properties which still seem in need of improvement. In the case of the previously known die casting machines, the casting mold parts of the die casting mold are moved along guide pillars which are part of the die casting machine, wherein the guide pillars and the hydraulic cylinders are dimensioned in such a way that they can hold the casting mold parts together, even under the high operating pressures of the die casting mold. Since the previously known die casting machines are supposed to be usable even in conjunction with relatively large die casting molds and since, even in that case, the guide pillars and hydraulic cylinders are supposed to withstand the loads which arise during the movement and clamping of the casting mold parts, the previously known die casting machines are of correspondingly large volume, complexity and cost in terms of design and production.

SUMMARY

It is therefore the object to provide a die casting machine and a die casting method of the type mentioned at the outset by which even relatively large castings can be produced, preferably with improved quality, wherein it should nevertheless be possible to produce the die casting machine according to the invention in a significantly smaller size and at significantly lower cost.

In the case of the die casting machine of the type mentioned at the outset, the solution is provided by one or more features according to the invention.

The die casting machine according to the invention has a die casting mold having at least one stationary first casting mold part, at least one second casting mold part that can be moved along guide pillars, and at least two lateral casting mold parts, which can be moved relative to one another transversely to the travel path of the at least one second casting mold part. Here, locking pins project from at least two lateral casting mold parts, and, in a closed position, engage behind at least the at least one movable second casting mold part in such a way that the travel path of the second casting mold part in the direction away from the at least one first casting mold part is limited. The casting mold parts and the lateral casting mold parts of the die casting mold are thus connected to one another mechanically in such a way that the die casting mold is capable of withstanding even high pressures in the state in which it is closed or locked in this way. Since the casting mold parts and lateral casting mold parts can be connected to one another mechanically, the guide pillars and the associated units are then only required for moving the at least one second casting mold part relative to the at least one first casting mold part. Since said guide pillars and the associated units required for movement no longer have to be of dimensions sufficient to hold the die casting mold together, even under high operating pressures, the die casting machine according to the invention itself can then be of significantly smaller, more compact and less expensive dimensions, even when it is also supposed to be usable for the production of relatively large castings. With the die casting machine according to the invention, it is thus also possible to achieve considerable energy savings.

To ensure that the travel path of the at least one second casting mold part in the direction away from the at least one first casting mold part is limited, it is sufficient if the locking pins provided on the lateral casting mold parts engage behind at least the at least one second casting mold part, while the at least one first casting mold part can be anchored immovably, for example, on the machine platen of the die casting machine according to the invention. However, the pressures which occur while the die casting mold is being held together can be intercepted, transferred and uniformly distributed between the casting mold parts and the lateral casting mold parts in a particularly effective manner if the locking pins projecting from the at least two lateral casting mold parts engage behind the at least one stationary first casting mold part and the at least one movable second casting mold part.

To enable any differential temperature-induced expansion which may also occur during the joining of the casting mold parts and the lateral casting mold parts to be compensated for, it is advantageous if at least a partial area of the at least one movable second casting mold part can be moved in the interspace bounded by the lateral casting mold parts.

For this purpose, preferred embodiments according to the invention envisage that at least one locking pin can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the pin and/or that the at least one locking pin should be movable against a return force. A particularly simple and low-cost proposal according to the invention here consists in that the return force is configured as a return spring and, in particular, as a compression spring. However, it is also possible that at least one hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical force transmitter is used as a return force.

To enable the locking pins to connect the casting mold parts and the lateral casting mold parts mechanically to one another and to distribute the forces acting on said components of the die casting mold in an effective manner, it is expedient if the locking pins are integrated into the at least two lateral casting mold parts and/or if the locking pins engage behind an associated counter support on the at least one casting mold part in the closed position. In this case, an embodiment according to the invention of particularly simple design envisages that the counter support associated with at least one locking pin is designed as a flange projecting from one casting mold part.

The thermally induced changes in the dimensions of the die casting mold can be compensated for in a particularly effective manner if the locking pins taper in such a way toward the free pin ends thereof that their side face facing the adjacent counter support forms a guide bevel, and that the counter support provided at least on one casting mold part preferably has a complementary mating guide bevel.

To enable the molten metal situated in the die casting mold to solidify under pressure and thereby to accelerate the solidification process and counteract any porosity in the subsequent casting, it is advantageous if at least one second casting mold part has two casting mold part pieces, which can be moved to a distance from one another. While the upper casting mold part piece is connected to the lateral casting mold parts by the locking pins engaging on the counter support thereof, the lower casting mold part piece can be moved to a distance such that the volume available as a mold cavity is reduced and the pressure on the molten metal situated in the mold cavity is significantly increased. The reduction in the volume of the metal which occurs during solidification of the metal is compensated for by the continuous pressure and cannot lead to porosity.

In this case, the casting mold part pieces can be moved to a distance from one another with the aid of at least one hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical force transmitter or any other suitable means. A design according to the invention which is capable of bearing high loads envisages that the casting mold part pieces of the at least one second casting mold part are guided so as to be movable one inside the other and can preferably be moved to a distance from one another by applying pressure to at least one parting surface situated therebetween.

In order to be able to assemble the casting mold parts and the lateral casting mold parts in the closed or operating position of the die casting mold, it is advantageous if the at least one lateral casting mold part can be moved transversely to the travel path of the second casting mold part by a lateral part drive, and if the return movement of the lateral part drive of the at least one lateral casting mold part can be blocked mechanically.

In this case, a preferred embodiment according to the invention envisages that each lateral part drive is assigned at least one blocking catch, which can be moved between an open position and a blocking position, in which blocking position the blocking catch acts upon a stop surface connected to a lateral casting mold part in such a way that a return movement of the lateral part drive is blocked. With the aid of this blocking catch, the mechanical locking of the die casting mold used according to the invention in the closed or operating position thereof can be accomplished and secured in this region too.

With the help of the blocking catches as well, thermally induced changes in dimensions can be compensated for in an effective manner if the blocking catches taper in such a way toward their free catch end that their side face facing the adjacent lateral casting mold part forms a guide bevel, and if the stop surface connected to the lateral casting mold part has a complementary mating guide bevel.

An embodiment according to the invention which is particularly simple and yet capable of bearing high loads envisages that the lateral part drive(s) is/are designed as hydraulic cylinders.

In order to achieve inflow of the molten metal into the die casting mold which is as laminar as possible and as free as possible from oxides and gas, it is advantageous if the casting mold parts and the lateral casting mold parts delimit at least one mold cavity, in which mold cavity at least one air extraction opening and at least one, preferably central, inflow opening for the molten metal opens.

In order to be able to close the at least one mold cavity situated in the die casting mold as leak-tight as possible and in order at the same time to be able to hold the molten metal directly ahead of the inflow opening, it is expedient if at least one blocking slide is guided movably in the movable second casting mold part, closing the at least one, preferably central, inflow opening in a leak-tight manner in a closed position.

The molten metal can be held in front of the at least one inflow opening in a particularly simple manner without the risk of unfavorable effects on the molten metal by the ambient air if the molten metal reservoir required for subsequent casting operations is available or arranged, preferably directly, below the die casting mold.

In this case, it is expedient if the die casting machine has at least one molten metal pump, by which the molten metal can be pumped out of a molten metal reservoir, via the at least one inflow opening, into the at least one mold cavity of the die casting mold.

The compact construction of the die casting machine according to the invention is promoted if the guide pillars project beyond the stationary first casting mold part or beyond a machine platen of the die casting machine, said platen carrying the first casting mold part.

In the die casting method according to the invention, the solution according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further developments according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the claims and the drawing.

The invention is described in greater detail below based on preferred exemplary embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1: shows a partially longitudinally sectioned die casting machine having a die casting mold, which has a first, stationary casting mold part, a second casting mold part, which can be moved along guide pillars, and lateral casting mold parts, which can be moved transversely to the second casting mold part, wherein the casting mold parts and the lateral casting mold parts are illustrated here in the mechanically locked closed or operating position thereof

FIG. 2: shows the die casting machine from FIG. 1 in a longitudinally sectioned detail view in the region of the die casting mold,

FIG. 3: shows the die casting machine from FIGS. 1 and 2 on completion of a die casting process and immediately before the removal of the finished casting,

FIG. 4: shows a die casting machine comparable to that in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which however, to produce a plurality of castings, the die casting mold also has a plurality of mold cavities,

FIG. 5: shows the die casting machine from FIG. 4 in a longitudinally sectioned detail view in the region of the die casting mold,

FIG. 6: shows the die casting machine from FIGS. 4 and 5 in an enlarged longitudinally sectioned detail view in the region bounded by “X” in FIG. 5, in the region of an inflow opening of the die casting mold, which can be closed by a heavy slide,

FIG. 7: shows the longitudinally sectioned partial region of the die casting mold already shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 in the region of the inflow opening, wherein the blocking slide is here in an open position,

FIG. 8: shows the partial region, shown in FIG. 4, of the die casting mold in the region of the inflow opening, wherein here the blocking slide is in a closed position, and

FIG. 9: shows the partial region of the die casting mold which has already been shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, likewise in longitudinal section, in the region of the inflow opening, wherein the at least one mold cavity provided in the die casting mold has been compressed in such a way that the blocking slide illustrated additionally enters the inflow opening assigned to it too.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a die casting machine in two embodiments 1, 10. The die casting machine 1, 10 is intended for producing metal castings 2. For this purpose, the die casting machine 1, 10 has a die casting mold 3 which surrounds at least one mold cavity 4, which determines the shape of the casting 2.

The die casting mold 3 of the die casting machine 1, 10 has at least one stationary first casting mold part 5, at least one second casting mold part 7 that can be moved along guide pillars 6, and at least two lateral casting mold parts 8, 9, which can be moved relative to one another transversely to the travel path of the second casting mold part 7. The stationary first casting mold part 5 is mounted in a fixed manner on a machine platen 11 of the die casting machine 1, 10. The movable second casting mold part 7 is held on at least one hydraulic cylinder 12, which serves as a travel drive. By means of its partial region remote from the second casting mold part 7, the hydraulic cylinder 12, which here is oriented vertically, is held at a distance above the machine platen 11 on the free end regions of the guide pillars 6. To enable the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9 to be moved relative to one another transversely to the travel path of the second casting mold part 7, all the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9 are in this case each held movably on the machine platen 11 by at least one hydraulic cylinder 13 serving as a lateral part drive.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, it can be seen that locking pins 14 project from at least two lateral casting mold parts 8, 9, and, in a closed position, engage behind at least the movable second casting mold part 7 in such a way that the travel path of the second casting mold part 7 in the direction away from the first casting mold part 5 is limited. On all of the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9, the embodiments 1, 10 of the die casting machine which are shown here have locking pins 14 which engage behind both the first and the second casting mold part 5, 7. By use of the locking pins 14, the casting mold parts 5, 7 and the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9 can be locked mechanically in such a way that, in its closed position, the die casting mold can withstand even high operating pressures of the molten metal used in the interior of the die casting mold.

For this purpose, the return movement of the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9, each of which can be moved transversely to the travel path of the second casting mold part 7 by a respective lateral part drive, can likewise be blocked mechanically. To this end, each lateral part drive is assigned at least one blocking catch 16, which can be moved between an open position and a blocking position. In the blocking position, the blocking catches 16 act upon a stop surface 17 connected to a lateral casting mold part 8, 9 in such a way that a return movement of the lateral part drive is blocked. The blocking catches 16 also taper in such a way toward the free catch end thereof that their side face facing the adjacent lateral casting mold part 8, 9 forms a guide bevel 18. Since the stop surfaces connected to a lateral casting mold part 8, 9 have a complementary mating guide bevel, thermally induced changes in dimensions can be compensated for in an effective manner in this region too as the die casting mold 3 is assembled.

The locking pins 14 projecting from the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9 are held on the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9 in such a way as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the pins against a return force. Here, this return force is produced by respective compression springs, which compression springs act upon the rear side of the locking pins 14 associated therewith. However, it is also possible for the return force acting on the locking pins 14 to be produced in each case by a hydraulic, pneumatic or electromechanical force transmitter. In the closed position of the die casting mold, the locking pins 14 engage behind a flange 21 serving as a counter support. One flange 21 projects from each casting mold part 5, 7. Here, the locking pins 14 taper in such a way toward a free pin end thereof that their side face facing the adjacent flange forms a guide bevel 22. Complementary mating guide bevels are provided on the flanges 21. By the use of the movable configuration of the locking pins 14 and by use of the guide bevels 22 corresponding to the mating guide bevels, the dimensional deviations which occur during the assembly of the die casting mold 3 owing to the temperature can be compensated for in an effective manner.

In the closed position of the casting mold parts 5, 7 and the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9, said parts surround at least one mold cavity 4, into which the molten metal required to produce the casting 2 can be poured. In order to be able to pressurize the molten metal poured into the at least one mold cavity 4, the movable second casting mold part 7 has two casting mold part pieces 23, 24, which can be moved to a distance from one another. Whereas the upper casting mold part piece 23 carries the flange 21 behind which the locking pin 14 engages and which serves as a counter support, the lower casting mold part piece 24 can be moved into the interspace bounded by the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9. The casting mold part pieces 23, 24 have partial regions which are guided so as to be movable one inside the other and in this case can be moved to a distance from one another by applying pressure to the parting surfaces situated therebetween. By applying pressure to the molten metal situated in the at least one mold cavity 4 during the cooling and solidification process, a favorable effect is exerted on the quality of the casting 2, the mechanical properties of said casting are significantly improved, the cooling process is accelerated and cycle times are shortened.

In the closed position of the die casting mold 3, the casting mold parts 5, 7 and the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9 delimit at least one mold cavity 4. To enable the molten metal to be poured into the at least one mold cavity 4 in a laminar flow of fluid, at least one air extraction opening 25 and at least one inflow opening 26 open into each mold cavity. While the air trapped in the mold cavity 4 can be extracted via the air extraction opening 25, the molten metal can be poured in or fed in via the at least one inflow opening 26. At least one blocking slide 27 is guided movably in the movable second casting mold part 7, closing the at least one inflow opening 26 in a leak-tight manner in a closed position, such that the molten metal reservoir 28 can continue to be available directly behind the blocking slide 27.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, it can be seen that the molten metal reservoir 28 required for subsequent casting operations is available below the die casting mold 3. This avoids the ambient air being able to exert an unfavorable and quality-reducing effect on the molten metal reservoir required for subsequent casting operations. In this case, at least one molten metal pump 29, by means of which the molten metal can be pumped via the at least one inflow opening 26 into the at least one mold cavity 4 of the die casting mold 3, is integrated into the molten metal reservoir 28.

In comparison with a conventional die casting machine, the die casting machine 1 illustrated here is distinguished by a significantly more compact construction. Since the hydraulic cylinder 12 is required only for moving the second casting mold part 7 and does not have to hold the casting mold parts 5, 7 together, this hydraulic cylinder 12 and the guide pillars 6 carrying the second casting mold part 7 can be of correspondingly smaller design. Since therefore lower forces are required to actuate the die casting machine illustrated here, a significant energy saving can be achieved with the die casting machine 1.

From a comparison of FIGS. 7 to 9, which show the die casting mold 3 of the die casting machine 10 in a detail view in the region of the inflow opening 26, it is clear that, after the filling of the at least one mold cavity 4 provided in the die casting mold 3, the blocking slide 27 is moved from the open position thereof, shown in FIG. 7, into the closed position thereof, shown in FIG. 8, in which closed position the molten metal situated in the at least one mold cavity 4 is separated from the molten metal reservoir 28 required for subsequent casting operations, and the inflow opening 26 is closed in a leak-tight manner. In the solidification phase which then follows, the casting mold part pieces 23, 24 are moved to a distance from one another hydraulically, and the molten metal situated in the at least one mold cavity is put under pressure, with the result that the blocking slide 27 enters further into the inflow opening 28 assigned thereto (cf. FIG. 9). However, it is also possible to move the casting mold part pieces 23, 24 to a distance from one another pneumatically, electromechanically or in some other suitable way.

The high operating pressures during the solidification of the molten metal, which are also required in the case of die casting mold 3, are intercepted and transferred solely by the mechanical locking of the casting mold parts 5, 7 and of the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9. The die casting mold 3 is filled with molten metal with the casting mold locked under high pressure. At the same time, pressure is applied to the molten metal 29 by the molten metal pump 29, while a vacuum is produced in the die casting mold 3. In this way, the casting mold 3 can be filled quickly, with a laminar flow and in a manner free from oxides and gas. As is clear from FIG. 8, the inflow opening 26 is closed by the blocking slide 27 immediately after the conclusion of mold filling, and the molten metal in the die casting mold 3 is thus separated thermally and in a pressure-tight manner from the molten metal reservoir 28. With the onset of solidification of the metal situated in the mold cavity 4, pressure is applied both by the casting mold part pieces 23, 24 of casting mold part 7 and by the central hydraulic cylinder 12. The pressure is applied uniformly to the casting 2 situated in the mold cavity 4 until it has solidified completely. The high pressure causes accelerated heat exchange with the die casting mold 3, thereby shortening the solidification process quite considerably. The high pressure and the short solidification times make it possible to cast metals and alloys which it was not previously possible to cast by permanent mold casting, e.g. malleable aluminum alloys or forging alloys.

From a comparison of the embodiment 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and of the machine embodiment 10 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, it is clear that the die casting mold 3 of the die casting machine 10 can also have a plurality of mold cavities 4 for simultaneous production of a plurality of castings 2. While the die casting machine 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a die casting mold 3 with just one mold cavity 4, in which mold cavity 4 a light alloy rotor can be produced, for example, a plurality of mold cavities 4 is provided in the die casting mold 3 of die casting machine 10 shown in FIG. 5, these being used here for the simultaneous production of a plurality of pistons, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 die casting machine -   2 casting -   3 die casting mold -   4 mold cavity -   5 first, stationary casting mold part -   6 guide pillars -   7 second, movable casting mold part -   8 lateral casting mold part -   9 lateral casting mold part -   10 die casting machine -   11 machine platen -   12 hydraulic cylinder (for the second, movable casting mold part 6) -   13 hydraulic cylinder (for the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9) -   14 locking pins -   16 blocking catches -   17 stop surface (on the lateral casting mold parts 8, 9) -   18 guide bevel -   21 flange -   22 guide bevel (on the locking pin 14) -   23 lower casting mold part piece -   24 upper casting mold part piece -   25 air extraction opening -   26 inflow opening (for the molten metal) -   27 blocking slide (in the second casting mold part 7) -   28 molten metal reservoir -   29 molten metal pumps 

1. A die casting machine (1, 10), comprising a die casting mold (3) having at least one stationary first casting mold part (5), at least one second casting mold part (7) that is movable along guide pillars (6), and at least two lateral casting mold parts (8, 9), which are movable relative to one another transversely to a travel path of the at least one second casting mold part (7), locking pins (14) project from the at least two lateral casting mold parts (8, 9), and, in a closed position, engage behind at least the at least one movable second casting mold part (7) in such a way that the travel path of the at least one second casting mold part (7) in a direction away from the at least one first casting mold part (5) is limited.
 2. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking pins (14) projecting from the at least two lateral casting mold parts (8, 9) engage behind the stationary first casting mold part (5) and the movable second casting mold part (7).
 3. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a partial area of the movable second casting mold part (7) is movable in an interspace bounded by the lateral casting mold parts (8, 9).
 4. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking pins (14) is movable in a longitudinal direction of the pin.
 5. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one locking pin (14) is movable in the longitudinal direction of the pin against a return force.
 6. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of a return spring, or a hydraulic, pneumatic, or electromechanical force transmitter.
 7. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking pins (14) are integrated into the at least two lateral casting mold parts (8, 9).
 8. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking pins (14) engage behind an associated counter support on at least one of the casting mold parts (5, 7) in the closed position.
 9. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the counter support associated with at least one of the locking pins (14) is a flange (21) projecting from at least one of the casting mold parts (5, 7).
 10. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking pins (14) taper toward a free pin end thereof such that a side face thereof facing the adjacent counter support forms a guide bevel (22), and the counter support provided at least on one of the casting mold parts (5, 7) has a complementary mating guide bevel.
 11. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second casting mold part (7) has two casting mold part pieces (23, 24), which are movable to a distance from one another, and the upper casting mold part piece (23) carries the counter support.
 12. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the casting mold part pieces (23, 24) of the second casting mold part (7) are guided so as to be movable one inside the other and are movable to a distance from one another by applying pressure to at least one parting surface situated therebetween.
 13. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the lateral casting mold parts (8, 9) is movable transversely to the travel path of the second casting mold part (7) by a lateral part drive, and a return movement of the lateral part drive of the at least one lateral casting mold part (8, 9) is blockable mechanically.
 14. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lateral part drive is assigned at least one blocking catch (16), which is movable between an open position and a blocking position, in said blocking position the blocking catch (16) acts upon a stop surface connected to one of the lateral casting mold parts (8, 9) in such a way that a return movement of the lateral part drive is blocked.
 15. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the blocking catches (16) taper in such a way toward a free catch end thereof that a side face thereof facing the adjacent lateral casting mold part (8, 9) forms a guide bevel, and the stop surface (17) connected to the lateral casting mold part (8, 9) has a complementary mating guide bevel.
 16. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein one of the lateral part drives is assigned to each of the laterial casting mold parts, and the lateral part drives comprise hydraulic cylinders (13).
 17. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casting mold parts (5, 7) and the lateral casting mold parts (8, 9) delimit at least one mold cavity (4), and at least one air extraction opening (25) and at least one inflow opening (26) for the molten metal opens in said mold cavity (4).
 18. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein at least one blocking slide (27) is guided movably in the movable second casting mold part (7), closing the at least one inflow opening (26) in a leak-tight manner in a closed position.
 19. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein the die casting machine (1, 10) has at least one molten metal pump (29), by which the molten metal is pumped out of a molten metal reservoir (28), via the at least one inflow opening (26), into the at least one mold cavity (4) of the die casting mold (3).
 20. The die casting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide pillars (6) project beyond the stationary first casting mold part (5) or beyond a machine platen (11) of the die casting machine (1, 10), said platen carrying the first casting mold part (5).
 21. A die casting method for a die casting mold (3) having a stationary first casting mold part (5), a second casting mold part (7) that is movable along guide pillars (6), and at least two lateral casting mold parts (8, 9), which are movable relative to one another transversely to a travel path of the second casting mold part (7), comprising, in a first method step, moving the casting mold parts (5, 7) and the lateral casting mold parts (8, 9) into a closed position of the die casting mold (3) and joining the mold parts together, locking the casting mold parts (5, 7) and the lateral casting mold parts (8, 9) mechanically to one another in the closed position, feeding a quantity of molten metal intended for at least one mold cavity into the die casting mold (3), and subjecting the molten metal in the at least one mold cavity (4) to pressure during a cooling process. 